[Fish Sandwich]

Okay, so I said wind instruments are Toshihiko Sahashi's thing, and I stand by that (Ibuki is still awesome!), but guitars aren't exactly outside his skill set either. Die will already know this if he still remembers his favorite track from Kuuga. Or, heck, I guess just anyone who's watched Kuuga would know.

Zanki and Todoyama are great. Going back to that idea that Ibuki and Akira are like, the baseline, ideal mentor/student combo, it was super interesting to introduce this grizzled legend past his prime and his apprentice who's maybe become a bit too comfortable standing in his shadow despite having talents of his own. It's a cool dynamic, and just as Riders, I mean, come on. It baffles me to think sometimes the merch for this show didn't sell like hotcakes. How did every kid on the block not want a monster-slaying axe/axe?

This is also Ishida's next set of episodes, which is very apparent not only when Clockamou's scene here straight up brings back the evil TV static effect from Kuuga, but from the impeccable timing of all the gags. I also like to think other directors probably wouldn't have been insistent on having those practical explosions mixed in when Zanki and Todoyama transform (both times!), which adds a lot of weight and impact to the scene. Again, these guys make a strong first impression.